הֶם (hem)
hem
them
Op3mQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 847 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- Op3m
Word Overview
The word hem is a third-person masculine plural object pronoun in Biblical Hebrew, translating to "them" when referring to men or mixed groups. It appears frequently across the Old Testament, with notable occurrences in books like Jeremiah and Judges, serving as the standard grammatical link for actions directed toward male individuals.
Unlike some other pronouns that might carry emotional weight or specific rhetorical emphasis, hem functions primarily as a structural tool within sentences. It attaches to prepositions or verbs to indicate who is receiving an action, ensuring clarity in narratives where multiple characters interact. Its high frequency reflects the narrative style of Hebrew scripture, which often relies on clear, direct references to groups of people.
Understanding hem helps readers track relationships and actions in complex passages. By recognizing this pronoun, one can more easily follow who is being addressed or acted upon, particularly in legal texts or historical accounts where precise identification of parties is essential for interpreting the text's meaning accurately.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word hem is a simple third-person plural pronoun meaning "them." It refers to groups of men or mixed genders in Biblical Hebrew. You will find it hundreds of times in the Old Testament, linking actions to people in stories and laws.
This small word helps you track relationships in complex passages. When reading Genesis or Judges, hem clarifies who receives an action or blessing. It ensures that narratives remain clear even when many characters interact.
Recognizing this pronoun aids your study by highlighting how God interacts with groups. In Genesis 1:28, for example, God blesses "them," showing His care for humanity as a collective. This clarity helps you understand the scope of biblical commands and promises.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 847 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to <the>/ them205×
- to/ them165×
- for <the>/ them53×
- for/ them32×
- from <the>/ them31×
- for <the>/ themselves27×
- by <the>/ them26×
- among/ them22×
- in/ them20×
- for/ themselves20×
- in <the>/ them19×
- from/ them19×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לָ/הֶ֖ם120×
- לָ/הֶם֙84×
- לָ/הֶ֔ם69×
- לָ/הֶ֑ם62×
- לָ/הֶֽם\׃41×
- לָ/הֶ֛ם40×
- לָֽ/מוֹ\׃27×
- לָ/הֶ֗ם22×
- בָּֽ/ם\׃22×
- לָ/הֶ֜ם19×
- בָּ/הֶֽם\׃19×
- מֵ/הֶ֔ם15×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 1:28
God blessed them. God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
This verse uses hem to show God blessing humanity collectively, establishing the foundational command for all people.
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Genesis 6:21
Take with you some of all food that is eaten, and gather it to yourself; and it will be for food for you, and for them.”
Here hem refers to the animals Noah gathered, highlighting the practical provision for creation during the flood.
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Genesis 15:13
He said to Abram, “Know for sure that your offspring will live as foreigners in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them. They will afflict them four hundred years.
The pronoun identifies the future descendants of Abram who will face affliction, linking God's prophecy to a specific group.
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Genesis 17:8
I will give to you, and to your offspring after you, the land where you are traveling, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession. I will be their God.”
God promises to be "their" God, using hem to extend the covenant relationship to Abraham's offspring.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does hem mean in Hebrew?
Why is hem so common in the Old Testament?
How does hem differ from other pronouns?
Every Occurrence (847 verses across 36 books)
Genesis 44 verses
God blessed them. God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish…
Genesis 3:7Their eyes were opened, and they both knew that they were naked. They sewed fig leaves together, and made coverings for…
Genesis 6:1When men began to multiply on the surface of the ground, and daughters were born to them,
Genesis 6:2God’s sons saw that men’s daughters were beautiful, and they took any that they wanted for themselves as wives.
Genesis 6:4The Nephilim were in the earth in those days, and also after that, when God’s sons came in to men’s daughters and had…
Genesis 6:21Take with you some of all food that is eaten, and gather it to yourself; and it will be for food for you, and for them.”
Genesis 9:1God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, and replenish the earth.
Genesis 9:26He said, “Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Shem. Let Canaan be his servant.
Genesis 9:27May God enlarge Japheth. Let him dwell in the tents of Shem. Let Canaan be his servant.”
Genesis 10:1Now this is the history of the generations of the sons of Noah and of Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Sons were born to them…
Genesis 11:3They said to one another, “Come, let’s make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they used…
Genesis 11:6Yahweh said, “Behold, they are one people, and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do. Now…
Genesis 11:29Abram and Nahor married wives. The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milcah, the…
Genesis 15:13He said to Abram, “Know for sure that your offspring will live as foreigners in a land that is not theirs, and will…
Genesis 17:8I will give to you, and to your offspring after you, the land where you are traveling, all the land of Canaan, for an…
Genesis 19:3He urged them greatly, and they came in with him, and entered into his house. He made them a feast, and baked…
Genesis 19:9They said, “Stand back!” Then they said, “This one fellow came in to live as a foreigner, and he appoints himself a…
Genesis 26:30He made them a feast, and they ate and drank.
Genesis 29:4Jacob said to them, “My relatives, where are you from?” They said, “We are from Haran.”
Genesis 29:5He said to them, “Do you know Laban, the son of Nahor?” They said, “We know him.”
Genesis 29:6He said to them, “Is it well with him?” They said, “It is well. See, Rachel, his daughter, is coming with the sheep.”
Genesis 34:7The sons of Jacob came in from the field when they heard it. The men were grieved, and they were very angry, because he…
Genesis 34:21“These men are peaceful with us. Therefore let them live in the land and trade in it. For behold, the land is large…
Genesis 34:23Won’t their livestock and their possessions and all their animals be ours? Only let’s give our consent to them, and…
Genesis 39:14she called to the men of her house, and spoke to them, saying, “Behold, he has brought a Hebrew in to us to mock us. He…
Genesis 40:22but he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them.
Genesis 41:8In the morning, his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all of Egypt’s magicians and wise men. Pharaoh told…
Genesis 41:56The famine was over all the surface of the earth. Joseph opened all the store houses, and sold to the Egyptians. The…
Genesis 42:9Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed about them, and said to them, “You are spies! You have come to see the…
Genesis 42:25Then Joseph gave a command to fill their bags with grain, and to restore each man’s money into his sack, and to give…
Genesis 43:27He asked them of their welfare, and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he yet alive?”
Genesis 43:32They served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because the…
Genesis 44:15Joseph said to them, “What deed is this that you have done? Don’t you know that such a man as I can indeed do…
Genesis 45:21The sons of Israel did so. Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision…
Genesis 45:26They told him, saying, “Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt.” His heart fainted, for he…
Genesis 46:32These men are shepherds, for they have been keepers of livestock, and they have brought their flocks, and their herds,…
Genesis 47:1Then Joseph went in and told Pharaoh, and said, “My father and my brothers, with their flocks, their herds, and all…
Genesis 47:6The land of Egypt is before you. Make your father and your brothers dwell in the best of the land. Let them dwell in…
Genesis 47:11Joseph placed his father and his brothers, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in…
Genesis 47:17They brought their livestock to Joseph, and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for the horses, and for the flocks, and…
Genesis 47:22Only he didn’t buy the land of the priests, for the priests had a portion from Pharaoh, and ate their portion which…
Genesis 48:10Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, so that he couldn’t see well. Joseph brought them near to him; and he kissed…
Genesis 48:16the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads, and let my name be named on them, and the name of my…
Genesis 49:28All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father spoke to them, and blessed them. He blessed…